Belt Tensioning: PIX ‘V’ and Wedge belts are manufactured to ensure the precise length and to stay matched during storage and on the drive for many years. This also ensures that each belt, when correctly tensioned, will take the correct share of the load to be transmitted, thus helping to achieve maximum life for the drive.
We recommend using the PIX Belt Tensioning Gauge to obtain the correct tension for the drive thus ensuring optimum life from the belts. This method has been verified by successful drives globally
Method of belt tensioning using the PIX Belt Tension Gauge
1. Install the belts to be a snug fit around the pulleys.
2. Rotate the pulleys a few revolutions to allow the belts to sit correctly in the pulley grooves. Be careful not to trap fingers!
3. Calculate the deflection in mm on the basis of 16 mm per metre of centre distance.
4. Set the lower black rubber ring on the large tube to the deflection required in mm.
5. Set the upper ring (on the metal rod) against the top of the large tube.
6. Place the belt tension indicator on top of the belt at the middle of the centre distance and apply a force at right angles to the belt, deflecting it to the point where the lower rubber ring is level with the top of an adjacent belt.
7. Read off the tensioning force value indicated by the bottom edge of the upper rubber ring.
8. Compare this force to the value in the table and adjust the tension until the correct value is attained.
9. A new drive should be tensioned to the 1.3 x tensioning force to allow for belt tension decay during the initial bedding-in period. After approximately 30 minutes of running and after that, the tension should be set to the basic tensioning value.
10. For a single belt drive, use a straight edge across the two pulleys to act as a reference point and apply the PIX Belt Tension Gauge as per point 6.
11. If a PIX Belt Tension Gauge is not available, using a spring balance and rule is acceptable.
Simply bearings are the UK's largest online retailer of bearings, seals, belts, chains, sprockets, lubricants and other associated power transmission equipment.
Simply Bearings Ltd, Halton House, Greenfold Way, Leigh Greater Manchester WN7 3XJ United kingdom
